I've always struggled with this one. How does someone who is fundamentally against war take a position on this situation? Most of my cohorts on the far left have taken up the position of being pro palestinian and less anti-Israel, then say PP man. Being for the end of the occupation of some of the Palestinian territories and for the creation of a Palestinian nation. Until recently I found this to be pretty agreeable. It would seem to promote peace and end fighting, which I'm all about.
Yet, I might have done a complete 180 in recent days. My main reason for this is simple, I was thinking about my position and came to the conclusion that the most imposing problem in the situation is that the Palestinians have yet to convince me that any peace would be acceptable to them. If they are fundamentally opposed to the existence of Israel then will anything bring peace outside of the complete and total destruction of Israel?
The answer is obviously no. If the Palestinians are unwilling to accept any form of peace then what is the point of pursuing peace, even to gain the small victories that a compromise over territory would ensue. Isn't it likely that a healthy and viable Palestinian state would simply encourage the war being wage on Israel?
So, ethical questions about the "occupation" aside, how in the world can a pacifist support the Palestinian cause? Without a 100% commitment to respecting Israel's right to exist any support given to them would intensify and prolong the conflict.
So, until I'm convinced otherwise I support a quick and clean victory by Israel. Lasting peace over lasting war.
Yet, I might have done a complete 180 in recent days. My main reason for this is simple, I was thinking about my position and came to the conclusion that the most imposing problem in the situation is that the Palestinians have yet to convince me that any peace would be acceptable to them. If they are fundamentally opposed to the existence of Israel then will anything bring peace outside of the complete and total destruction of Israel?
The answer is obviously no. If the Palestinians are unwilling to accept any form of peace then what is the point of pursuing peace, even to gain the small victories that a compromise over territory would ensue. Isn't it likely that a healthy and viable Palestinian state would simply encourage the war being wage on Israel?
So, ethical questions about the "occupation" aside, how in the world can a pacifist support the Palestinian cause? Without a 100% commitment to respecting Israel's right to exist any support given to them would intensify and prolong the conflict.
So, until I'm convinced otherwise I support a quick and clean victory by Israel. Lasting peace over lasting war.
